Truck side frame



Feb. 4, 1930. cAHANKlNs TRUCK SIDE-FRAME Filed Feb. 18'. 1925 AMHMPA 2 Sheets-Skaai; 1

i Feb. 4, 1930. a HANKINS nucl: snm FRMIE Filed Feb.Lv 18.v 1925 ZAShbets-Sheet 2 I rml. l K 4 W E, .Hh /9 vPatented Feb. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE CYRUS HANKINS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLANRASSIGNOR TO THE SYMINGTON COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F MARYLAND TRUCK SIDE FRAME l Application led February 18, 1925. Serial No. 10,116.

The invention relates to side frames for railwaycar trucks, and more particularly to cast side frames havlng integral journal boxes. To this end the principal object of lthe invention, generally stated, is to provide a simple form of cast side frame having the various members thereof so disposed and arranged as to affordv the maximum strength side frame which are subjected to excessive shocks and loads in service being adequately reinforced by webs, flanges or the like so as to prevent distortion and yielding thereof in service. l

Another object of the invention is to form a truck side frame having a cambered compression member with downturned flanges, a `tension member the web of which intersects the side wall of each journal box below the plane of the roof thereof, flanges formed on said web and projectingr upwardly therefrom, the flanges of the tension and compression members being united at spaced points -to afford additional strength lto the said members.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a truck side Aframe having compression and tension members and an interposed 'Y strut, said strut being adapted to form the n.. vd

bolster guide columns, the portion of the tension member intermediate the bolster guide columns being of box section, the lower web' of the tension member adjacent points of maximum stressbeing further reinforced by forming thereon depending reinforcing flanges.

There are other'objects of the'invention as will hereinafter be pointed out in the more detailed description of the same when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which',- f f Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical vsectionand partly in front elevation of a truck side frame constructed in accordance with 'my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan viewof the structure showninFig. 1. -7'

Figure I3 is a` transverse vsectional view taken on the Vbroken line-3f?) of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view with minimum weight, the portions of the the line 6- 6 of' Fig. 1, the direction of view\ being indicated by the arrows adjacent the ends of the section lines.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.l

Throughout the specification and draw-- ings like parts are designatedby like -reference characters. j The truck side frame shown hereon and hereinafter described is an improvement on that of the copending application of T. H. Symington, Serial N o. 747,638, filed Nov. 3, 1924, and on that'of my copending application Serial N o. 757,411, filed Dec.l22, 1924.

In the embodiment of my invention here illustrated, the numeral 1 designates generally a cast truck side frame having an upper arch bar or compression member 2, and a lower arch bar or tension member between whichar'e interposed the spaced strut members 4.#4, the latter beingadapted to form the side walls of the window openin and to act as bolster guide columns. Thesi e edges of the members 2, 3 and 4 are connected by upright webs or side plates 5 and 6, said webs being formed or provided with alined open-- ings 7 and 8, each pair of said openings being positioned between the end of the side frame .-and the adjacent bolster guide column 4.

Preferably the web 5 is thicker in cross section than the web 6 and likewise the flange 9 which surrounds the marginal edge of the openings 7 is heavier tlianthe flange l0 surrounding the marginal edge of the openings 8. Truck side frames of this general type are cast. with the outer or front face in the cope side of the mold; that is, when the metal is poured into the mold the rear face of the side frameis first formed, and as the pouring is continued the metal -rises until finally the front face of the casting is last formed. Unless provision is made to take care of the difference in quality between the metal forml and removal of the truck bolster.

ing the front and rear walls of the side frame by increasing the thickness of the front face it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the rear face or Wall of the side frame will have greater strength than the front face or Wall, Which results, when the truck is in service, in imposing unequal loads upon the opposite walls of the frame and is one of the causes of cast truck side frame failure. providing, as above pointed out, side Walls of unequal thickness this defect has been obviated and the side.' frame is provided With the opposite Walls of uniform strength. It might also be noted in side frames having integral journal boxes that the double Wfall portion of the journal box forming the dust guard Well has a much greater strength value than the front Wall of the journal box in which ofcourse is provided tlie opening to permit the insertion and removal of the wedge and bearing and through which the journal box packing is inserted for lubricating the journals. The greater strength value of the rear ends of the jo'urnal boxes also adds to the strength of the rear Wall of the side frame. j

The openings 7 in the front Wall or face of the side frame and the openings 8 inthe rear .Wall of the side frame are. so 'positioned that the compression member 2, thetension member 3 and the bolster guide columns 4 are all provided for at least a portion of their length Vwith flanges 11 and 12, making them generally U shape in cross section, in the present embodiment, and the openings 7 and 8 are so shaped that these flanges vary in Width, the marginal edges of the openings 7 and 8 being so formed as to produce a minimum width of flange at or adjacent the points of contra-flexure or points of minimum stress in the compression and tensionmembers.

At the top of the Window opening the webs of the bolster guide columns 4 are provided with easements 13. Preferably the portion of the compression member between the easements 13 of each bolster guide column is of channel form, the side plates 5 -and 6 forming the flanges of the channel. The webs 5 and 6 may be formed with re-entrant flanges 14, the said flanges tapering gradually from a point adjacent the center of the side frame to their points of mergence adjacent the bolster guide columns 4-4. The outer faces of the Webs 5 and 6 above the bolster opening are alsoreinforced by outwardly extending flanges 15 and 16, the end portions 17 andy 18, respectively, of the said side flanges 15 and 16 being downwardly deflected and merging into the flanges 9 and 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Adjacent their lower ends the bolster guide columns 4 are offset as at 19, as is customary, so as to permit the insertion The webs preferably perforated of the portions 19 are to compensate for the :as at 20, and in order web 23 on opposite loss of metal I provide on the outer faces of the Webs 5 and 6 and in line with the portions -19 outwardly flaring flanges 21 and 22, re-

the said flanges being extended 9 and erably formed by a web 23 integrally con. and 6. On the outernected Yto the Webs 5 faces of these latter -Webs there is provided,

in line with the Web.23, flanges 24, 24, the intermediate portions of which, together with the web. 23, forming a spring seat portion of adequate Width. The end portions of the sides of the bolster guide columns are deflected upwardly and are cut away as at'25 to form tapering flangesA 26, 26 which gradually merge into the Webs 5l`and 6, respectively, at points adjacent the'lower marginal edge of the openings 7 and 8. Preferably the lateral continuations of the flanges 24, which extend across the lower ends of the bolster guide columns as upper flanges on the diagonal end portions of the tension member offset from the upper edge thereof, are longer than the continuations of the web 23 and, owing to the difference in angularity between the continuations of the flanges 24 and the continuations of the web 23, the flanges 24 are adapted at their end portions member substantially in the plane of the main web of the tension member.

By providing the supplemental Web 23 it will be'observed that I have formed in the side frame, below the window opening, a completely closed or box section as contradistinguished from the channel section of my prior application. This box section formed by thefweb of the tension member, the side plates 5 and 6, and the web 23 greatly' increases the strength of the side frame against excessive loads caused by failure of the truck springs to adequately cushion the rocking movement of the truck bolster.

In order tocompensate for the excessivel loads upon the side `frame it has been customary in the past to make the Walls of the box section portion of the tension member parallel for more than the entire Width of the bolster opening. Such construction prevents, Without an exceedingly abrupt change of direction in theangulany portions of the tension member, the intersection of the tension member with the journal boxes at points about thecenter thereof. In the construction here shown I obtain the advantages of a box section at the central portion of the window opening, but by limiting the horizontal portion of the Web of the tension member to a distance less than the Width of the Window opening, and by providing on opposite sides of the web of the tension member, at points adjacent the ends of the horizontal portion thereof, the depending flanges 27 and 28,1 am enabled to keep a uniform section of metal from end to end of the bolster open time change the direction of the web of the,

tension member so that the same will intersect the side walls of the journal boxes at points adjacent the roof thereof. Preferably the depth of these flanges is greatest substantially coincident with the intersectionof the web of the tension member by tlie'prolongation ofthe bisecter of the angle formed between the spring seat portion'and the web portions 19. The flanges 27 and 28 may be reinforced adjacent their marginal edges by lips 29 and 30, respectively.

The flanges 24 are preferably reinforced by forming triangular reinforcing' brackets 31 underlying the flanges 24 and integrally connected thereto and to the respective side walls of the webs 5 and 6.

, The means for connecting the journal boxes tothe end portions of the side frame and the means for reinforcing the roof or top portion of the journal boxes are as follows I provide a central longitudinally extending web 33 which is integrally connected to the web of the compression member 2 and to the roof 34of each journal box 32, the said web being' preferably continued vbeyond the inner edge of each journal box toward the vcenter y.of the side frame, the lower edges of said webs being integral with the angularly disposedportions of the web of the tension/member. The inner edges of the said Webs 33^are preferably concave, as shown at '35. Extending upward from the roof 34 of each box and merging into the'webs 33 are substantially triangular flanges 36, said flanges being positioned on opposite sides of the webs and arranged in ap roximate alinement with the inner edge o journal box 37.

By utilizing this construction I avoid disadvantages caused by the abrupt change in the angular direction of the web of the tension member at its point of juncturev with the inner side wall ofeach journal box, and by providing the flanges 36 at points adjacent the inner face of the lugs 37 I adequately reinforce the top wall or roof 34 of the-journal box at or adjacent its point of maximum stress. i z I In order to connect the side wall ofthe journal box to the web of the tension member so as to transmit thrusts thereto I 4provide an inverted T-shaped strut 38 having a substantially horizontal flange 39, a web 40,

and an upper fla-nge 41, the flange 41 being spaced from the point of intersection of the side wall of the journal box and the web of the tension member 3. By utilizing this form L of strut member and by positioning the same at a point below theV intersection of the web of the. tension member and the sidewall of the journal box, I obviate the necessity of providing an opening in the web of the tension member 3 to support the core for the adjacent journal box lug. It will be observed particularly from Fig. 6 that the flange 39 ,is substantially equal in width to the web bfxtlie. tension member 3 and that I so form the members 3s'and 38 that the flange 39 'merges into the web of the tension member without a material decrease in the thickness of the said web. It will also be observed that the upper edge of each journal box is provided with an inset portion 42 and that such inset portion permits of forming laterally extending flanges 43 and 44 on the outer faces of the webs 5 and 6 in line with the web of the tension member, the said flanges 43 and 44 materially increasing the strength and rigidity of the connection between each journal box and the adjacent portion of the side frame.

From the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that I have provided a side frame in which the metal is so arranged and proportioned as to furnish a lnaximum'cross sectional value at points of maximum stress and have at the same time avoided the unnecessary massing of metal at any point inlthe side frame; and that I have also provided a comparatively simple form 'of casting in which all portions thereof are integral'and have thus materially increased bolster guide columns interposed between the.

intermediate portions of said members, said guide columns forming a^strut, the' major portions of all of lsaid members being channel shape in section, said tension member intermediate said guide columns being rectangular in section, with the lower web of the channel section continued to form thelower web of the rectangular section, and flanges depending from ,the lower face of said tension member at points in alinement with the said bolster guide columns.

2. A car truck side frame comprising integral tension and compression members, the intermediateport-ion of said tension member being box shape in section, and reinforcing means depending from the lower face of the tension member, said reinforcing means being convex at its lower edge and extending from said intermediate portion toward the end portions of said frame while gradually merging therein.

3. In a car truck side frame, the combination with integral tension and compression members, of journal boxes integral with the end portions of said frame, the intermediate portion of said tension member being box lio shape in section, and transversely spaced reinforcing flanges depending from the lower face of said intermediate portion and extending toward the end portions of said frame.

' 4. In a car truck side frame, the combination with integral tension and compression tion with integral compression and tension members having side faces, of aninterposed strut, adapted to form spaced bolster guide columns, the portion of said tension member lying between said columns being box shape in section, the upper web of said portion being adapted to extend beyond the planes of intersection of said columns and tension member, and flanges projecting from the side edges of said portion of said tension member, the ends of said flanges merging into the side faces of the said tension member intermediate each end thereof and the adjacent bolster guide column.

6. A car truck side frame' comprising a compression member the major portion of which is U-sha'pedfin section, ay tension member having channel shaped end portions and a box section intermediate portion the top wall of which is adapted to form a spring planlrseat, strut columns interposed between the box section portion of said tension niember and said compression member, and flanges projecting inwardly from the side walls of said tension member, said flanges adjacent each strut column merging into said top wall of the intermediate portion of the `tensicnn member.

7. In a car truck side frame, the tion with integral flanged compression and tension members, the flanges of said members extending toward each other, journal boxes integral with theend portions of said frame, the web of the tension member being adapted to extend from the upper inner edge of each journal box downwardly, the intermediate portion of said web being spaced from the spring plank seat of said side frame.

8. In a car truck side frame, the combination with a U-shaped compression member, of a tension member having acontinuous web and upstanding walls at opposite sides thereof, the intermediate portion of said member being box. shaped in section, and interposed i bolster guide columns, .all of said members being formed integral, the web of the tensionv member having a horizontally disposed central portion and angularly disposed end portions and means for reinforcing the said ten Y sion member adjacent the "points where said combinasaid member changes direction, said means comprising pairs of spaced flanges depending from the web of sald member.

9. In a car truck side frame, the combinai guide columns, and flanged means depending from said web adjacent the ends of said interi'nediale portion. K A

10. In a car truck side frame, the combination with flanged tension and compression members and an interposed strut, of journal boxes integrally connected to the end portions of said compression and tension members, and a longitudinally extending web connecting the top wall of each journal box tothe web of said compression member, said first named web being continued toward the center of said frame and adapted to connect the web of the tension member to the overlying web of the compression member.

l1. In a car truck side frame, the combination with flanged tension and compression members and an interposed strut, of journal boxes integrally connected to the Aend portions of said compression and tension members, a longitudinally extending web connect- 'ing the top wall of said journal box to the f web of said compression member, said first named web being continued toward the center of said frame and adapted to connect the web of the tension member to the overlying web of the bompression member, and a plurality of upright flanges connecting an intermediate portion of said first named web to spaced box.

12. A truck side frame comprising integral compression and tension members having side walls, a strut interposedv therebetween and forming spaced bolster guide columns, that portion of the tension member between said columns being substantially box shape in section, the upper web of said portion between the side walls of the tension member extending beyond the bolster columns, bifurcate'd and tapered so that the portions thereof merge into the side walls of the tension member.

13.-A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members formed with webs and side flanges, a strut interposed therebetween and'formed as spacedv bolster guide columns, the tension member between said columns being box-shaped in cross seci points on the wall of said journal l tension member flanges, and flanges. projecting outwardly from the side edges of the intermediate portion of the tension member, the ends'of said flanges tapering and merging into the side faces of the tension member flanges intermediate each end thereof and the adjacent bolster guidecolumn.

14. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members formed with webs and flanges, bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions thereof, the web of the tension member sloping from adjacent the outer ends of the frame downwardly and inwardly below, the flanges thereof to positions between said bolster guide columns, said flanges at the intermediate portion of the tens1on member being formed with a connecting web disposed at a substantially uniform elevation for the distance between the guide columns spaced from the web of said member and serving as a spring plank seat.

15. A car truck? side frame comprising compression and tension members formedwith webs and flanges thereon, bolster guide columns positioned therebetweempthe flanges of the compression and tension members extending towards each other, the intermediate from the portion of the tension member being formed w1th a spring seating portion spaced from the web o f the member, the web-of said tension member being formed substantially horizontal between the axes of the bolster guide columns, and reinforcing means depending web of the tension member beneath the bolster columns.

16. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members, bolster guide'col. umns 1nterposed between the intermediate portions of said members, the major portions o f all of lsaid members being channel shape 1n cross section, with the web of the tension member extended between the ends thereof beneath the bolster guide columns, la relatively wide spring seating portion spaced from said web atthe intermediatev portion thereof and the flanges of said member directly below the bolster guide columns being widened and extended beneath the web of the member to reinforce the same.

17. A car truck side frame comprising integral compressionA and tension members, journal boxes integral with the end 'portions lof said frame, the tension member joined to said journal boxes .adjacent the upper portions thereof and reinforcing means extendlng between the lower portion of the tension member and the adjacent side wall of each journal box, saidl reinforcing means being formed as an upright web portion with a relatively wide flange along the lower edge of said web, the upper edge of said web being spaced from said tension member, said flange merging at opposite ends into the tension member and journalbox.

18. A truck side frame comprising a compression member, a. tension member, bolster guide columns interposed between intermediate portions of said members, said compression and tension members being generally U- shape in cross section and formed, respectively, with upper and lower'webs, flanges on the edges of said webs merging at the ends of the frame, journal boxes formed with roofs to which said flanges extend and unite and additional connecting means between said 'webs comprising longitudinal webs joining i on the edges of said webs merging at the 'ends of the frame, journal boxes united to the ends of said frame, with the web along the lower side of the tension member uniting With the inner side walls of said boxes slightly below the upper edges of said walls, the connection with said walls being reinforced by webs flaring outwardly from the sides of said tension member in the plane of the web thereof, sloping upwardly and outwardly and joining with the upper edges of said side walls. l

20. A side frame comprising a tension member and bolster guide columns extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to space a compression member with respect to said tension member, said tension member being generally U-shaped in cross section that portion thereof between the bolster guide columns being normally horizontal and formed with an upper web extended beyond thev sides of the member to provide a spring plank seat, the portions of said tension member on opposite sides of said columns extending diagonally upward4 therefrom, the upper web of said member beyond the sides thereof being continued lbeneath the bolster guide columns upwardly and outwardly along the end portions and tapered to merge into the sides of the frame, said web between the'sides of the tension member being bifurcated beneath the guide columns with the bifurcations thereof tapered upwardly and outwardly at an angle with. respect to the corresponding tapered portions of the web beyond the side walls of the tension member. Y

21. A side frame comprising a tension member having a lower web and normally vertical flanges on the sides of said web, the central or intermediate portion of said memberbeing normally horizontal with end portions extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, the flanges of said tension member at the junctions ofthe end and intermediate portions being formed with their lower outlines first curving downward and then curving upward to join with the horizontal portion of the member for maintaining the depth at the junctions between the intermediate and end portions of the member to correspond with that ofthe horizontal portion thereof.

22. A side frame comprising a tension member formed with a lower web and normally vertical flanges on the sides 0f said web, said tension member having a central or intermediate horizontal portion with an upper web extending beyond the sides of the member to provide a spring plank seat p0rtion, and upwardly and-outwardly extending end portions, the upper web of said mem'- ber beyond the sides thereof being continued upwardly and outwardly along the end portions and tapered to merge with the sides of the frame below the planes of the top edges of the flanges on the end portions of the tension member, the lower edges of the tension member flanges where each end portion joins the central or intermediate portion being first concave downwardly and then convex downwardly for maintaining the depth of the member at said junctions to correspond with the depth of the intermediate portion.

23. A side frame comprising a tensionmember formed with an intermediate substantially horizontal portion, and end portions extending diagonally outward and upward therefrom, bolster guide columns extending upward from the junctions of the end portions and intermediate portions of said member, said tension member comprising a lower web and normally 'vertical flanges at the edges thereof, the lower outhne of said anges being curved first in one pression member, a tension member formed with a substantially horizontal portion and diagonal end portions, bolster guide columns p cient width, said flanges being continued outwardly as upper flanges of the diagonal end portions of the tension member, and offset downwardly from the upper edge thereof.

26. A truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member with an intermediate substantially horizontal portion and diagonal end portions, bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetweem said tension member having relatively wide upper flanges forming a spring supporting portion of the desired width beneath the window opening, said flanges being tapered in width adjacent the sides of the window opening and extended across the lower ends of the bolster guide columns as upper flanges on the diagonal end portions of the tension member, but positioned below the continuation of the upper edge of said portions.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

CYRUS HANKINS.

direction and then in the other beneath each bolster guide column for maintaining the depth of the tension member to correspond with that of the horizontal portion thereof to beyond the junctions with said guide columns.

24. A truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member formed with an intermediate substantially horizontal portion and diagonal end portions, bolster guide columns interposed between said compression and tension members and forming a window opening therebetween, said tension member having relatively wide upper flanges on its horizontal portion forming a spring plank seat beneath the window opening, said flanges being tapered in width beyond the window opening and extended across the lower ends of the bolster guide columns, to form upper flanges on the diagonal end portions of the tension member offset from the upper edge thereof.

25. A .truck side frame comprising a con1- 

